Assistant Director, Institutional Partnerships & Philanthropy, Resource Development

Location: New York, San Francisco

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, Asia plays a crucial global role. Would you be excited at the prospect of employing your knowledge and skills to improve lives, expand opportunities, and help societies flourish across this dynamic region? You could have this opportunity at The Asia Foundation. We work with innovative leaders and communities to build effective institutions and advance path-breaking reforms. Informed by more than six decades of experience and deep local expertise, The Asia Foundation’s programs—good governance, inclusive economic growth, women’s empowerment and gender equality, environment, and climate action, and regional cooperation—address critical issues affecting Asia and the Pacific in the 21st century. Together with our partners, we encourage Asia’s continued development as a peaceful, just, and thriving region of the world.

The Asia Foundation’s Resource Development unit seeks an assistant director for Institutional Partnerships & Philanthropy. The ideal candidate has extensive fund development experience, an understanding of the philanthropic landscape about international development, and a demonstrated passion for The Asia Foundation’s mission. The candidate demonstrates inclusive leadership approaches and excels at using teamwork and creative thinking to achieve a shared vision.

The assistant director plays a vital role in creating successful strategies for engaging and working with institutional donors and partners. Working closely with the corporate and foundation relations team, the assistant director has responsibility for initiating, developing, and managing relationships with some of The Asia Foundation’s most valued funding partners and overseeing a portfolio of 60+ donors and prospects. The assistant director will synthesize the case for support for funders, fostering and guiding the growth in philanthropic engagement with donors during the Foundation’s $50 million comprehensive campaign. The assistant director will independently identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward contributions from corporations and foundations focusing on commitments at the $50,000 level and above. In collaboration with colleagues, the assistant director will develop and implement solicitation plans for a portfolio of prospects and donors, managing the complete solicitation process, from the identification and staffing of the appropriate volunteer or solicitor to the development of compelling oral and written proposals and donor stewardship and recognition activities.

The assistant director will work closely and cross-functionally with the Foundation’s country offices, Program Specialists Group, senior leaders, and other vital units to develop program-related proposals, marketing collateral, and fundraising materials for institutional donors. The assistant director is an essential resource of fundraising knowledge and expertise for colleagues throughout the organization.

Qualifications

• A track record of eight years of progressively responsible fund-raising experience, with success in working with corporate and foundation donors and securing gifts of $50,000 and more. Bachelor’s degree in a related area, ideally in International Development, International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, or Asian Studies. Graduate degree preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and prospect analytics.
• Interest in The Asia Foundation including its vision, mission, goals, and objectives.
• Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Advanced skill in making persuasive and compelling presentations of an organization’s goals and objectives to secure foundation grants and corporate contributions.
• Track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals and objectives.
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles including the techniques and practices of cultivating foundation and corporate donors.
• Ability to write persuasively, clearly, and concisely to synthesize information from multiple sources into a single, effective fundraising document.
• Ability to interact effectively with trustees, donors, and staff at all levels.
• Excellent skills in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, financial projections, and public speaking.
• Familiarity with a donor database, preferably Raiser’s Edge, is strongly recommended.
• Ability to travel on a regular basis nationally and internationally when The Asia Foundation’s regular travel policies resume. Flexibility in work hours and availability some evenings and weekends.
• Substantial knowledge and interest in international development and related topics, including relevant issues and programmatic interests of The Asia Foundation preferred.
• Experience with other international development agencies or operating foundations preferred.
• Work experience in Asia or at an international organization in Asia is a plus.

Why work at The Asia Foundation?

At a critical moment in history, you will have the opportunity to help solve some of the toughest challenges in the development sector. You will work with people who encourage learning and leadership, enhance civil society, promote constructive government engagement, advance equality and diversity, support women’s empowerment, and address environmental problems in the Asia Pacific region. You will work in an innovative environment and build lasting relationships. The Asia Foundation and its partners are unmatched throughout the region. This is an opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most accomplished leaders, influencers, and social entrepreneurs working in and with Asia today.